Vehicle lamp assembly

ABSTRACT

A vehicle lamp assembly is provided herein. The vehicle lamp assembly includes a lighting device configured to couple to a headliner. One or more light sources are disposed within the lighting device. A controller is configured to selectively activate the one or more light sources. The illuminated one or more light sources direct light at a feature within a vehicle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle lamp assemblies, andmore particularly, to vehicle lamp assemblies within a vehicle cabin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle lamp assemblies are employed in vehicles and illuminate forvarious functions. For some vehicles, it may be desirable to have avehicle lamp assembly that provides additional illumination within thevehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle lampassembly is provided herein. The vehicle lamp assembly includes alighting device configured to couple to a headliner. One or more lightsources are disposed within the lighting device. A controller isconfigured to selectively activate the one or more light sources. Theilluminated one or more light sources direct light at a feature within avehicle.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle lampassembly is provided herein. The vehicle lamp assembly includes a firstlighting device having one or more light sources. A second lightingdevice has one or more light sources. The second lighting device isdisposed vehicle rearward of the first lighting device. A controller isconfigured to selectively activate the first and second lighting devicesto direct light at a feature within a vehicle.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehiclelamp assembly is provided herein. The vehicle lamp assembly includes afirst lighting device having first and second light sources. A firstlight-directing element is operably coupled with the first light sourceand is configured to direct light towards a first vehicle feature. Asecond light-directing element is operably coupled with the second lightsource and is configured to direct light towards a second vehiclefeature. A controller is configured to selectively activate the firstand second light sources.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front portion of a vehicle having alamp assembly therein, according to some examples;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the vehicle with the lamp assembly having aplurality of lighting devices, according to some examples;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one of the lighting devices takenalong the line of FIG. 2, according to some examples;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an array of light sources on a printed circuitboard of the lighting device, according to some examples;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lighting device including a sensorarrangement, according to some examples;

FIG. 6 is a rear plan view of the cabin of the vehicle and the lampassembly illuminating in a first illumination pattern, according to someexamples;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the vehicle with the lamp assemblyilluminating in the first illumination pattern, according to someexamples;

FIG. 8 is a side plan view of the cabin of the vehicle and the lampassembly illuminating in a second illumination pattern, according tosome examples;

FIG. 9 is a side plan view of the cabin of the vehicle and the lampassembly illuminating in a third illumination pattern, according to someexamples;

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the lighting device having ahousing movable about a base, according to some examples; and

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the lighting device having astationary base and housing, according to some examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXAMPLES

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary examples of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the examples disclosed herein arenot to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

As required, detailed examples of the present invention are disclosedherein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed examples aremerely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various andalternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed designand some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show functionoverview. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top andbottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, withoutmore constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself,or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a composition is described as containing components A,B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; Aand B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; orA, B, and C in combination.

The following disclosure describes a lamp assembly that may be disposedwithin a vehicle cabin. In some examples, the lamp assembly may beconfigured as an overhead lamp that is disposed above occupants onceinstalled within the vehicle. The lamp assembly may include one or morelight sources that are configured to illuminate predefined locationsand/or features within the vehicle. The light sources may be selectivelyactivated by a controller 48 based on a plurality of inputs based ondetected conditions and/or occupant inputs.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 is depicted with a lampassembly 12 disposed within a cabin 14 of the vehicle 10. In someexamples, the lamp assembly 12 may be configured as a dome light and/orany other type of lighting assembly disposed within the cabin 14. Insome instances, the lamp assembly 12 may be configured as a singlelighting device 18, which may be generally centrally disposed within aheadliner 16 (FIG. 3) of the vehicle 10. As used herein, “centrallydisposed” will be construed to mean any position between a rear portionof the cabin 14 and a windshield in a vehicle forward/rearward directionand any lateral position within the cabin 14. In alternate instances,the lamp assembly 12 may be configured as a plurality of lightingdevices 18 disposed within the cabin 14. When the lamp assembly 12 isactivated, a light pattern is transmitted towards a predefined locationwithin the cabin 14. In some examples, the lamp assembly 12 may beconfigured to illuminate predefined features 44 of the vehicle 10, suchas seatbelts 20, seatbelt latch 22, electronic ports 24, and/or anyother feature 44 within the vehicle 10 simultaneously or independently.Additionally, in some aspects, the lamp assembly 12 may be utilized fora wide variety of purposes, including but not limited to, task lighting,feature lighting, ambient lighting, and/or notification lighting.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 10 may be utilizedfor personal and/or commercial purposes, such as for ride-providing(chauffeuring) services and/or ride-sharing services. An application 26associated with the commercial purpose of the vehicle 10 may beinstalled on a user's electronic device 28. The application 26 may beconfigured to communicate with the vehicle 10 (either directly and/orthrough a remote station) and/or a vehicle associated electronic device30 that may be disposed within the vehicle 10 and/or remotely disposed.Through the communication between the user's electronic device 28 andthe vehicle associated electronic device 30, a commercial relationshipmay be established in which the vehicle 10 is used to facilitate aservice.

The user's electronic device 28 and the vehicle associated electronicdevice 30 may be any one of a variety of computing devices and mayinclude a processor and memory. For example, the user's electronicdevice 28 and the vehicle associated electronic device 30 may be a cellphone, mobile communication device, key fob, wearable device (e.g.,fitness band, watch, glasses, jewelry, wallet), apparel (e.g., a teeshirt, gloves, shoes or other accessories), personal digital assistant,headphones and/or other devices that include capabilities for wirelesscommunications using IEEE 2.11, Bluetooth, and/or any other wired orwireless communications protocols. Further, the vehicle associatedelectronic device 30 may be a computer or any other electronic devicethat is disposed within the vehicle 10.

In various examples, the vehicle 10 and/or the vehicle associatedelectronic device 30 may communicate with the user's electronic device28 through a wireless network. Accordingly, the network may be one ormore of various wired or wireless communication mechanisms, includingany desired combination of wired (e.g., cable and fiber) and/or wireless(e.g., cellular, wireless, satellite, microwave, and radio frequency)communication mechanisms and any desired network topology (or topologieswhen multiple communication mechanisms are utilized). Exemplarycommunication networks include wireless communication networks (e.g.,using Bluetooth, IEEE 2.11, etc.), local area networks (LAN), and/orwide area networks (WAN), including the Internet, providing datacommunication services.

Moreover, the vehicle 10 and/or the vehicle associated electronic device30 may include a wireless transceiver (e.g., a BLUETOOTH module, aZIGBEE transceiver, a Wi-Fi transceiver, an IrDA transceiver, an RFIDtransceiver, etc.) configured to communicate with a compatible wirelesstransceiver of the user's electronic device 28. Additionally oralternatively, the vehicle 10 and/or the vehicle associated electronicdevice 30 may communicate with the user's electronic device 28 over awired connection, such as via a USB connection.

The application 26 may be configured to utilize a device link interfaceto interact with the vehicle 10 and/or the vehicle associated electronicdevice 30. When connected to the vehicle 10, the application 26 may beconfigured to utilize information from vehicle sensors, actuators, andelectronic control units. The application 26 may also be configured tooperate when untethered from the vehicle 10, such as when the user isriding public transportation or walking. The application 26 may befurther configured to communicate with servers via a communicationsnetwork. The user may interact with the application 26 through ahuman-machine interface (HMI) 40 of the vehicle associated electronicdevice 30, via a web interface, or via the HMI 40 of the vehicle 10.

The vehicle 10 may be a manually operated vehicle (i.e. using a humandriver) or may be autonomously driven by an onboard computer.Additionally, or alternatively, the vehicle 10 may be remotelycontrolled (e.g., via an operator located in a different location). Inautonomous examples, the computer may be configured for communicatingwith one or more remote sites such as a server via a network. The one ormore remote sites may include a data store. The vehicle 10, includingthe computer, is configured to receive information, e.g., collecteddata, from the one or more data collectors related to various componentsof the vehicle 10, e.g., a steering wheel, brake pedal, acceleratorpedal, gearshift lever, etc. The computer generally includes anautonomous driving module that includes instructions for autonomously,i.e., without some, or any, operator input, operating the vehicle 10,including possibly in response to instructions received from the server.Further, the computer, e.g., in the module, generally includesinstructions for receiving data, e.g., from one or more data collectorsand/or an HMI 40, such as an interactive voice response (IVR) system, agraphical user interface (GUI) including a touchscreen or the like, etc.

The application 26 on the user's electronic device 28 and/or vehicleassociated electronic device 30 may also be configured to alter lightingcharacteristics of the lamp assembly 12. For example, a user may alterthe color of light emitted from the lamp assembly 12, alter theintensity of light emitted from the lamp assembly 12, and/or setparameters for activation of the lamp assembly 12, as will be describedin greater detail below. For example, the lamp assembly 12 mayilluminate in a first color (e.g., red) when an occupant enters thevehicle 10 and fails to secure an occupant restraint device (e.g.,seatbelt 20) in the occupied seat and/or illuminate in a second color(e.g., green) when the occupant desires to utilize a feature 44 of thevehicle 10, such as the electronic port 24.

Referring further to FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 may include a plurality oflighting devices 18 in conjunction with, or in lieu of, the generallycentrally disposed lighting device 18. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the lamp assembly 12 may include an overhead console 32 havinglighting devices 18 therein, the generally centrally disposed lightingdevice 18, and/or a rear lighting device 18. Additionally, and/oralternatively, the vehicle 10 may include outwardly disposed lightingdevices 18 positioned over, and/or in close proximity to, one or morefront seats 34, 36 and/or rear seats 38 disposed within the vehicle 10.

The vehicle 10 may further include one or more HMIs 40 that may beoperably coupled with the lamp assembly 12 and utilized for illuminatingthe lamp assembly 12 in a variety of illumination patterns. The vehicle10 may also include a microphone 42 that is also operably coupled to thecontroller 48. The microphone 42 may be a unidirectional microphone oran array of microphones. If the microphone 42 is a unidirectionalmicrophone, the microphone is disposed, for example, in such a mannerthat the directivity thereof is directed toward the head of an occupant.An array microphone is a microphone in which multiple microphones arearranged close to each other in an array and whose directivity can bedirected in any direction by signal processing. In some examples, anoccupant within the cabin 14 may provide one or more commands and/orquestions. In response, the lamp assembly 12 may illuminate in apredefined manner. In some instances, an occupant may be able to ask fora location of the electronic port 24, or any other feature 44, withinthe vehicle 10. In response, the controller 48 may illuminate a portionof the lamp assembly 12 that directs light at the desired feature 44. Itwill be appreciated that any feature 44 within the cabin 14 of thevehicle 10 may be illuminated in such a manner without departing fromthe teachings provided herein. Accordingly, the microphone 42 isoperably coupled to the controller 48 and the lighting device 18selectively illuminates one or more light sources 54 based on auser-provided voice command. For example, an occupant may ask for a doorhandle to be illuminated, for the electronic port 24 to be illuminated,for a cup holder to be illuminated, etc. and in response, the lampassembly 12 may illuminate the appropriate light sources 54 (FIG. 3) toilluminate the desired feature 44. Further, the commands may also beinputted through one or more HMIs 40 within the vehicle 10 and the lampassembly 12 may illuminate.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the lamp assembly 12 may activatevarious light sources 54 based on requests from the user's electronicdevice 28 and/or vehicle associated electronic device 30. For example,the lamp assembly 12 may direct an incoming occupant to a front seatposition within the cabin 14 by illuminating a front seating positionproximate the front door. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the lampassembly 12 may direct an incoming occupant to a rear seat positionwithin the cabin 14 by illuminating the seating position proximate arear door of the vehicle 10.

The vehicle 10 may further include a sound system therein that includesone or more speakers. The speakers may be disposed proximate eachseating location. Accordingly, in addition to, or in lieu of, thespeaker proximate each respective seating area may assist in locatingvarious features 44 of the vehicle 10. For example, in addition to thelamp assembly 12 illuminating the vehicle feature 44, the speakerproximate the seating area may direct the occupant to the location ofthe specific feature 44.

Additionally, the application 26 on the electronic device 28 may includea plurality of identifiable features 44 of the vehicle 10 that may beilluminated by the lamp assembly 12. Accordingly, when an occupant isunable to identify the location of a desired feature 44, that feature 44can be selected through the electronic device 28. In response, the lampassembly 12 may illuminate a portion thereof to direct light towards thedesired feature 44. In some examples, the lamp assembly 12 may alsoilluminate safety features 44 of the vehicle 10 based on an input fromthe central area network (CAN) bus of the vehicle 10. For example, ifthe vehicle 10 detects an occupant within a specific location of thevehicle 10 and the seatbelt 20 for that location is disengaged, the lampassembly 12 may illuminate the respective seatbelt 20, the identifiedseat, the occupant, and/or the seatbelt latch 22. Any other feature 44that may be utilized in a similar manner may also be illuminated withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

In some examples, the lamp assembly 12 includes a controller 48including control circuitry including LED drive circuitry forcontrolling activation and deactivation of one or more light sources 54.The controller 48 may be disposed in the vehicle 10, within the vehicleassociated electronic device 30, and/or within the lighting device 18.The controller 48 may activate the light sources 54 based on a pluralityof inputs from the vehicle associated electronic device 30, the userelectronic device 28, the HMI 40, any sensor within the vehicle 10, etc.and may modify the intensity of the light emitted by the light sources54 by pulse-width modulation, current control, and/or any other methodknown in the art. In various examples, the controller 48 may beconfigured to adjust a color and/or intensity of light emitted from thelight sources 54 by sending control signals to adjust an intensity orenergy output level of the light sources 54.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 includes alight-detecting device 46 that may be utilized for varying the intensityof light emitted from the lamp 32. The light-detecting device 46 sensesthe environmental lighting conditions, such as whether the vehicle 10 isin day-like conditions (i.e., higher light level conditions) and/orwhether the vehicle 10 is in night-like conditions (i.e., lower lightlevel conditions). The light-detecting device 46 can be of any suitabletype and can detect the day-like and night-like conditions in anysuitable fashion. For instance, in some examples, the light-detectingdevice 46 includes a light sensor that detects the amount of light(e.g., solar radiation) affecting the vehicle 10 for determining whetherday-like or night-like conditions exist. According to some examples, thecolors of light and/or intensities of light emitted from the lampassembly 12 may be varied based on the sensed conditions. For example,the lamp assembly 12 may emit light of high intensity in any colorduring day-like conditions. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the lampassembly 12 may be configured to emit light of the first color and lowintensity in the second color in night-like conditions while the vehicle10 is in motion. Once the vehicle 10 is in a parked state, the lampassembly 12 may emit light in a high intensity in the second color.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lighting device 18, according to someexamples, is defined by a housing 50. The housing 50 may at leastpartially encompass a circuit board 52, one or more light sources 54,optics 56, and/or a sensor assembly 58.

The circuit board 52 may be configured as a printed circuit board (PCB)that is operably coupled to the controller 48. The circuit board 52 maybe configured in any fashion known in the art including, but not limitedto, any flexible PCB and/or rigid PCB. The light sources 54 may bedisposed on the circuit board 52 with constant or variable spacing. Thelight sources 54 may include any form of light sources. For example,fluorescent lighting, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic LEDs(OLEDs), polymer LEDs (PLEDs), laser diodes, quantum dot LEDs (QD-LEDs),solid-state lighting, a hybrid of these or any other similar device,and/or any other form of lighting may be utilized within the lightingdevice 18. Further, various types of LEDs are suitable for use as thelight sources 54 including, but not limited to, top-emitting LEDs,side-emitting LEDs, and others. Moreover, according to various examples,multicolored light sources 54, such as Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) LEDsthat employ red, green, and blue LED packaging may be used to generatevarious desired colors of light outputs from a single light source 30,according to known light color mixing techniques.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, one of the light sources 54 may be arrangedin the center of the circuit board 52 and the remaining light sources 54are arranged in several rings thereabout. As is exemplarily shown inFIG. 4, the circuit board 52 may have a circular configuration and thespacing between light sources 54 in the same ring may increase thecloser they are to the edge of the circuit board 52. The light sources54 may be configured to emit any colored light and are electricallycoupled to the controller 48. In operation, the controller 48 mayselectively control the light sources 54 such that one, all, or aportion of the light sources 54 can be activated at any given time. Thecontroller 48 may be located on the circuit board 52 or elsewhere in thevehicle 10 and is electrically coupled to a power source 60, whichincludes a conventional vehicle power source or an independent powersource.

The optics 56 includes one or more light-directing elements 66. Thelight-directing elements 66 are arranged such that a first portion 62 ofthe light-directing elements 66 is configured to output incident lightat an angle and another portion 64 of the light-directing elements 66 isconfigured to output incident light at a zero angle as demonstrated bythe light rays in FIG. 3. In the illustrated example, a second portion64 may include a single light-directing element 66 having a planar shapewhereas the first portion 62 includes a plurality of light-directingelements 66 in a sawtooth arrangement for directing incident light awayfrom the center of the optics 56. As shown in FIG. 4, thelight-directing element 66 of the second portion 64 may have a circularshape and is located at the center of the optics 56 whereas thelight-directing elements 66 of the first portion 62 are each arranged asrings that are concentric with the second portion 64. In assembly, theoptics 56 is positioned relative the circuit board 52 such that thelight-directing element 66 of portion 64 is in optical communicationwith the light sources 54 located at the center of the circuit board 52and the light-directing elements 66 of portion 62 are in opticalcommunication with a corresponding ring of light sources 54. In variousexamples, the light-directing elements 66 may be configured as a Fresnellens, a pillow optic, and/or any other type of lens or optic that isconfigured to disperse, concentrate, and/or otherwise, direct lightemitted from the one or more light sources 54 therethrough in anydesired manner.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the sensor assembly 58 may also beelectrically coupled to the controller 48 and may include an array ofproximity sensors 68 as exemplarily shown in FIG. 5. The proximitysensors 68 may include capacitive sensors or other sensors configured tosense a user-supplied action such as a touch event and/or a gesture.Capacitive sensors generally detect changes in capacitance due to theplacement or movement of an object such as a finger proximate to or incontact with the sensor, thereby allowing a variety of user-suppliedactions to be effectuated on the sensor assembly 58 to control the lightoutput of the lamp assembly 12. Examples of user-supplied action includeusing one or more hand digits to tap or swipe the sensor assembly 58 aswell as using hand gestures proximate the sensor assembly 58. Inalternative examples, the sensor assembly 58 may include other types ofproximity sensors such as, but not limited to, magnetic sensors,inductive sensors, optical sensors, resistive sensors, temperaturesensors, the like, or any combination thereof.

According to some examples, the lighting device 18 may be divided into aplurality of light-emitting regions, exemplarily shown in FIGS. 4 and 5as a first region 70 a, a second region 70 b, a third region 70 c, afourth region 70 d and a fifth region 70 e, respectively. The regions 70a-70 e may be visually identified to the user or otherwise leftunidentified. Each region 70 a-70 e includes a corresponding portion ofthe sensor assembly 58, as well as the portions of the optics 56 and thelight sources 54 located thereunder. In this way, the lamp assembly 12can be positioned within the vehicle 10 such that each region 70 a-70 eilluminates a distinct area by virtue of the light-directing elements 66of optics 56. In operation, each region 70 a-70 e may be selectivelyactivated in response to a touch event on the sensor assembly 58, anactivation request based on an electronic device 28, 30 input, anactivation request based on an HMI 40 input, an activation request basedon a voice command, an activation request based on a sensed vehiclecondition, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in some instances, an occupant may bedisposed within a rear driver-side seating position within the vehicle10. To illuminate the seating position and/or a feature 44 proximate theseating position, the controller 48 may activate the light sources 54associated with region 70 b. The illumination may be used as tasklighting, functional light, ambient lighting, and/or for any otherreason. As provided herein, the illumination may be activated inresponse to an activation request by the occupant. Alternatively, theactivation may occur to notify the occupant of a feature location, suchas a seatbelt 20, when the vehicle 10 detects an unlatched condition.

Referring to FIG. 8, the lamp assembly 12 may illuminate variousportions simultaneously to illuminate various locations and features 44within the vehicle 10. For example, in examples in which the occupant isto be seated in a specific seating location of the vehicle 10, the lampassembly 12 may direct the incoming occupant to that location. The lampassembly 12 and/or portions thereof may sequentially illuminate and/ordeactivate based on a wide array of conditions. For example, the lampassembly 12 may have a timeout period wherein the light sources 54deactivate after a set amount of time. Additionally, and/oralternatively, the lamp assembly 12 may be deactivated for any otherreason, including, but not limited to, arriving at an occupant'sdestination, the feature 44 desired is detected to have been found,and/or the vehicle feature 44 is disposed in a desired state. Forexample, if the occupant desired to locate the electronic port 24 withinthe cabin 14 and locates the electronic port 24, the connection of anelectronic device 28 to the port may deactivate the light sources 54.Furthermore, the latching of an unbuckled seatbelt 20 may alsodeactivate light sources 54 that illuminate the seatbelt 20. It will beappreciated that the illumination sequence provided herein may beutilized to illuminate any feature 44 or features 44 within the vehicle10 independently or simultaneously without departing from the scope ofthe disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, in some examples, region 70 e, like all otherregions, may be activated independently of the remaining regions 70 a-70d. As a result, the controller 48 activates the light sources 54 locatedat the center of the lighting device 18 is activated, which results inregion 70 e illuminating an area thereunder. Region 70 e may be directedtowards any desired feature 44 without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Moreover, the lighting device 18 may be in anylocation within the cabin 14 and the pin spot may illuminate anylocation within and/or proximate to the cabin 14.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the lighting device 18 is configured toproject one or more light beams in various directions and/or towardsvarious locations within the vehicle 10, as provided herein. In someexamples, the directionality of the light beam 22 may be controlledusing the electronic device 28, 30, an HMI 40, and/or through any otherassemblies described herein. In some examples, the lighting device 18 isoperable such that the directionality of the light beam 22 is configuredto illuminate a desired feature 44 within the cabin 14.

Referring to FIG. 10, the lighting device 18 includes a housing assembly72 pivotally coupled to the headliner 16. The housing assembly 72includes a base 74 affixed to the headliner 16 using mechanicalfasteners or other known means. The base 74 may be constructed from arigid material. The housing assembly 72 also includes a body 76 alignedwith the base 74 and coupled thereto to pivot about a vertical axis Yextending through the body 76 and the base 74 such that the body 76 isrotatable in either a leftward direction or a rightward direction asgenerally represented by dual directional arrow 88. It is contemplatedthat the body 76 may be fully rotatable (e.g., 360 degrees) or otherwiselimited to a degree of rotation in one or both the leftward andrightward directions. The body 76 may be constructed from a rigidmaterial and is defined by a closed bottom end portion 80 proximate tothe base 74, an open top end portion 82, and a light-transmissiveperipheral wall 84 extending vertically between the bottom and top ends80, 82. A cover 86 is affixed to the top end portion 82 of the body 76and generally functions to seal the contents thereof. The cover 86 maybe rounded and constructed from a rigid or elastic material.Additionally, the cover 86 may be light-transmissive or light-blocking.

With continued reference to FIG. 10, the circuit board 52 having thelight sources 54 thereon may be pivotably disposed within the body. Theoptics 56 is optically coupled to the light sources 54. The circuitboard 52 and light sources 54 may be pivotable about a horizontal axis Xextending laterally across the lighting device 18 such that any of thelight device components supported thereby can be rotated in either anupward direction or a downward direction as generally represented bydual directional arrow 88. In some examples, the horizontal axis X mayintersect with the vertical axis Y such that the lamp assembly 12 isrotatable in a leftward/rightward direction and an upward/downwarddirection about a point of intersection 90 between the horizontal axis Xand the vertical axis Y. The degree of rotation in both the upward anddownward directions may be unrestricted or otherwise limited.

The light sources 54 may be configured to emit light towards a lensassembly 92. The light sources 54 may emit light of the same color or beapportioned to selectively emit different colored light. Electricalpower is supplied to the light sources 54 via wiring 94 that iselectrically coupled to the vehicle power source 60. The lens assemblyincludes optics 56 that are positioned between the light sources 54 anda peripheral wall 84 of the body 76 and are configured to focus,collimate, or spread light emitted by the light sources 54 to project alight beam 98 of variable light density outwardly from the body 76through the peripheral wall 84. In examples where the optics 56collimate light emitted by light sources 54, the optics 56 may befluted, the flutes having varying width, height, and depth. Furthermore,the beam pattern of the projected light beam 98 may be defined based onan optical interaction between the optics 56 and the peripheral wall 84.Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that the peripheral wall 84 may beconfigured to exhibit various optical characteristics.

Referring to FIG. 11, the lighting device 18 is shown according to analternative example. However, as provided herein, the lamp assembly 12may include any number of lighting devices 18 within the cabin 14 thatare formed in any manner provided herein without departing from thescope of the present disclosure. In some examples of the lightingassembly, the base 74 may be omitted in favor of coupling the body 76 tothe roof structure 16. Alternatively, the body 76 and the base 74 may beunitary in construction. A multi-directional light array is defined bythe circuit board 52 having a circular arrangement and a plurality oflight sources 54 disposed thereon within the housing assembly. Thecircuit board 52 may be a flex circuit and is supported by a substrate100 fixedly secured within the housing assembly 72. As shown, theplurality of light sources 54 is exemplarily arranged in three rows ofequal number and span a substantial entirety of the circuit board 52. Inalternative examples, the number of rows may be different along with thepattern in which the light sources 54 are distributed. For purposes ofillustration, an arbitrary number of light sources 54 are undarkened torepresent a light source cluster that is selectively activated to emitlight outwardly from the body 76 through the peripheral wall 84. Thus,the one or more light sources 54 may be disposed in a circulararrangement and emit circumferentially about the housing towards adesired illumination location within the vehicle 10. It should beappreciated that other light source clusters may be activated to emitlight having a different directionality by virtue of the location of thelight source clusters on the circuit board 52. Furthermore, by modifyingthe number of light sources 54 in a given cluster, the intensity and/orspread of the associated light emission may be adjusted. The circuitboard 52 may be a vertical orientation and/or be angled to direct thelight sources 54 in a downward orientation.

With respect to the presently depicted example, a lens assembly 102 maybe optionally provided to focus, collimate, or spread light emitted bythe light source cluster to project a light beam 104 of variable lightdensity outwardly from the body 76 through the peripheral wall 84 in thedirection generally specified by arrow 106. The lens assembly 102includes optics 56 in optical communication with the light sources 54and is fixedly supported within the housing assembly 72 by any suitablemeans. The optics 56 are generally positioned inside the housingassembly 72 to intercept light emitted from the light sources 54 andproject the corresponding light beam through the peripheral wall 84 ofthe body 76. In some examples, the optics 56 may be fluted, the fluteshaving varying width, height, and depth. In addition, the projectedlight beam 104 may be defined based on an optical interaction betweenthe optics 56 and the peripheral wall 84. Accordingly, it is to beappreciated that the peripheral wall 84 may be configured to exhibitvarious optical characteristics.

Due to the lack of any movable parts, the lighting device 18 describedwith reference to FIG. 11 may be manufactured at a lower cost whencompared to movable lighting devices 18. Furthermore, the lack ofmovable parts also enables the lighting device 18 to benefit from asmaller size, thereby enabling it to be more easily integrated withvarious structures of the vehicle 10 (e.g., headliner 16). While thehousing assembly 72 of the lighting devices 18 has been described hereinas having a particular disposition, it is to be understood that thehousing assembly 72 may take on other shapes and configurations to adaptto various structures of the vehicle 10 without adversely impacting thefunctionality of the lighting device 18.

Use of the present disclosure may offer a variety of advantages. Forinstance, use of the lamp assembly may provide additional functionalityof the vehicle to occupants thereof. The lamp assembly may assistoccupants in situations where a driver is not present. Moreover, theselective activation of light sources by the controller based on aplurality of inputs based on detected conditions and/or occupant inputsprovide for a wide array of uses of the lamp assembly. The lamp assemblydescribed herein may provide many additional benefits to the vehiclewhile being manufactured at a lower cost than current light assemblies.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle lampassembly is provided herein. The vehicle lamp assembly includes alighting device configured to couple to a headliner. One or more lightsources are disposed within the lighting device. A controller isconfigured to selectively activate the one or more light sources. Theilluminated one or more light sources direct light at a feature within avehicle. Examples of the vehicle lamp assembly can include any one or acombination of the following features:

-   -   the lighting device is operably coupled to an electronic device        and the one or more light sources are selectively activated        through the electronic device;    -   the lighting device is operably coupled with a human-machine        interface (HMI) and the one or more light sources are        selectively activated through the HMI;    -   the feature is a component of a seatbelt;    -   the lighting device is configured as a dome lamp and is operable        to illuminate at least a portion of a cabin of the vehicle;    -   optics optically coupled with the one or more light sources,        wherein the optics include one or more light-directing elements;    -   the light-directing elements are arranged such that a first        portion of the light-directing elements is configured to output        incident light at a first angle when a first light source is        activated and another portion of the light-directing elements is        configured to output light at a second angle when a second light        source is activated;    -   the second portion includes a single light-directing element        having a planar shape and the first portion includes a plurality        of light-directing elements in a sawtooth arrangement;    -   the lighting device includes a housing assembly pivotally        coupled to the headliner;    -   the one or more light sources are disposed in a circular        arrangement and emit circumferentially about the housing towards        a desired illumination location within the vehicle; and/or    -   a microphone operably coupled to the controller, wherein the        lighting device selectively illuminates one or more light        sources based on a user-provided voice command.

Moreover, a method of method of manufacturing a vehicle lamp assembly isprovided herein. The method includes coupling a lighting device to aheadliner. One or more light sources are positioned within the lightingdevice. A controller is coupled to the one or more light sources. Theone or more light sources are selectively activated. The illuminated oneor more light sources direct light at a feature within a vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle lampassembly is provided herein. The vehicle lamp assembly includes a firstlighting device having one or more light sources. A second lightingdevice has one or more light sources. The second lighting device isdisposed vehicle rearward of the first lighting device. A controller isconfigured to selectively activate the first and second lighting devicesto direct light at a feature within a vehicle. Examples of the vehiclelamp assembly can include any one or a combination of the followingfeatures:

-   -   the controller is operably coupled to an electronic device and        the first and second lighting devices are selectively activated        through the electronic device;    -   each of the one or more light sources are selectively activated        based on a desired illumination position within the vehicle;    -   optics optically coupled with the one or more light sources of        the first and second lighting devices, wherein the optics        include one or more light-directing elements; and/or    -   the controller is configured to direct an incoming occupant to a        predefined position within the vehicle.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehiclelamp assembly is provided herein. The vehicle lamp assembly includes afirst lighting device having first and second light sources. A firstlight-directing element is operably coupled with the first light sourceand is configured to direct light towards a first vehicle feature. Asecond light-directing element is operably coupled with the second lightsource and is configured to direct light towards a second vehiclefeature. A controller is configured to selectively activate the firstand second light sources. Examples of the vehicle lamp assembly caninclude any one or a combination of the following features:

-   -   the lighting device is operably coupled to an electronic device        and the one or more light sources are selectively activated        through the electronic device;    -   a microphone operably coupled to the controller, wherein the        lighting device selectively illuminates one or more light        sources based on a user-provided voice command; and/or    -   the one or more light sources are disposed in a circular        arrangement and emit circumferentially about the housing towards        a desired illumination location within the vehicle.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described invention and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary examples of theinvention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

Furthermore, any arrangement of components to achieve the samefunctionality is effectively “associated” such that the desiredfunctionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined toachieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” eachother such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected” or “operablycoupled” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any twocomponents capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being“operably couplable” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.Some examples of operably couplable include, but are not limited to,physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/orwirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/orlogically interacting and/or logically interactable components.Furthermore, it will be understood that a component preceding the term“of the” may be disposed at any practicable location (e.g., on, within,and/or externally disposed from the vehicle) such that the component mayfunction in any manner described herein.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary examples isillustrative only. Although only a few examples of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connectors or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary examples without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present invention, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

1. A vehicle lamp assembly comprising: a lighting device configured tocouple to a headliner; one or more light sources disposed within thelighting device; a controller configured to selectively activate the oneor more light sources, the illuminated one or more light sourcesdirecting a collimated light beam at a predefined feature within avehicle; and a mobile communication device operably coupled to thecontroller, wherein the predefined feature to be illuminated is selectedvia the mobile communication device.
 2. The vehicle lamp assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more light sources are selectively activatedthrough the mobile communication device.
 3. The vehicle lamp assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the lighting device is operably coupled with ahuman-machine interface (HMI) and the one or more light sources areselectively activated through the HMI.
 4. The vehicle lamp assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the predefined feature is a component of a seatbelt. 5.The vehicle lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the lighting device isconfigured as a dome lamp and is operable to illuminate at least aportion of a cabin of the vehicle.
 6. The vehicle lamp assembly of claim1, further comprising: optics optically coupled with the one or morelight sources, wherein the optics include one or more light-directingelements.
 7. The vehicle lamp assembly claim 6, wherein thelight-directing elements are arranged such that a first portion of thelight-directing elements is configured to output incident light at afirst angle when a first light source is activated and a second portionof the light-directing elements is configured to output light at asecond angle when a second light source is activated.
 8. The vehiclelamp assembly of claim 7, wherein the second portion includes a singlelight-directing element having a planar shape and the first portionincludes a plurality of light-directing elements in a sawtootharrangement.
 9. The vehicle lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein thelighting device includes a housing assembly pivotally coupled to theheadliner.
 10. The vehicle lamp assembly of claim 3, wherein the one ormore light sources are disposed in a circular arrangement and emitcircumferentially towards a desired illumination location within thevehicle.
 11. The vehicle lamp assembly of claim 10, further comprising:a microphone operably coupled to the controller, wherein the lightingdevice selectively illuminates one or more light sources based on auser-provided voice command. 12.-20. (canceled)